Sermons on Religious Ritual:

Jesus Bursts Old Wineskins Series

Contributed by Gordon Kroeker on Oct 28, 2003

Jesus challenges the religious leaders as He faces conflict from them.

Mk. 2:1-3:6 JESUS BURSTS OLD WINESKINS A. “That Broadway Project! Why is it taking so long? Why are they ripping apart more roads and intersections than just putting on the new cement? They are stalling for time, and making hard for everyone in Minot!!!” 1. I am not a street contractor. I ...read more

Denomination: Mennonite

Life-Changing Encounters With Jesus: The Lame Man At The Pool Series

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Mar 17, 2008

Don’t let religious traditions become more important that people.

The religious leaders did not ask, “Who healed you?” but rather, “Who told you to do this on the Sabbath?” They were more concerned about a broken rule than a miraculous healing. According to the Pharisees, carrying a mat on the Sabbath was work and was therefore unlawful. It did not break an ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

I Am The Light Of The World Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 13, 2004

The Light of the World shines in moral darkness, religious darkness, and physical darkness.

I AM series #2 I AM the Light of the World John 8:12; 9:5 INTRODUCTION: This summer we’re looking at the I AM statements of Jesus. All 8 of these statements are recorded in the Gospel of John. Last week we saw that right after feeding the 5,000 Jesus told the crowds I AM the Bread of Life. ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Worship The One & True God

Contributed by William D. Brown on Aug 2, 2008

The Prophet Elijah stands alone against 850 false religious leaders.

WORSHIP THE ONE & TRUE GOD I KINGS 18:17-21 I Kings 18 give us the account of the Prophet Elijah, as he stands alone against 850 false religious leaders. Elijah challenges the people to decide who is going to be the god of their lives. He demonstrates the reality ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 18:17-21

Denomination: Baptist

Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas Series

Contributed by Andy Barnard on Dec 20, 2008

Celebrate Christmas like Jesus would. viz. without the religious trappings.

Would Jesus celebrate Christmas? Christmas is possibly the most religious time of year. It is a time when people who don’t usually think much of Jesus, find themselves humming Carols and they even go to church. Christmas is classified as a religious holiday. holiday noun 1 an extended period of ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:16-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jhhemtyd Part 5: Outward Appearance Vs. Inward Reality

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Mar 30, 2009

Part five of this series on Jesus’ words to the religious leaders regarding their hypocrisy.

Jesus Hates Hypocrisy Even More Than You Do! Part 5 – Outward Appearance vs. Inward Reality Matthew 23:25-28 January 25, 2009 Me/We: I’m wondering something: in all our weeks of looking at the issue of hypocrisy as Jesus talks about it, has anyone gotten the idea that being a hypocrite is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:25-28

Denomination: Wesleyan

Arguing With The Devil's Crowd Series

Contributed by Hugh W. Davidson on Apr 15, 2009

Jesus explaining to the religious crowd that their religion isn’t working with God.

Arguing with the devil’s crowd John 8:36-47 We begin by looking at Jesus’ statement in verse 36 where He says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” Jesus was talking to a few believers in the crowd about spiritual freedom when the ...read more

Scripture: John 8:36-47

Denomination: Baptist

Backward Religion

Contributed by Toby Powers on Dec 23, 2005

Do things in the religious world ever just seem backward to you?

From the desk of Pastor Toby Powers Truth Baptist Church Hwy 78 Bremen, GA Correspondence Address: 56 Taylor Cir Carrollton, GA 30117 Email: tjpowers@gfb.org Backward Religion Jeremiah 7:21-24 Intro: God has spoken to a backslidden generation of Israelites to let them know that they can put away ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

Luke And Compassionate Christ Series

Contributed by Bryan Fink on Feb 18, 2012

To remind people that Christ had a heart for those outside the religious ones.

[S] If someone asked you to tell them about the Jesus you know, what would you tell them? And would what you tell them resemble the Jesus revealed in the gospels or would Jesus resemble someone else? We’re in the third week of a series entitled “Jesus as They Knew Him.” A ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:16-30

Denomination: Methodist

A Question Of Motive Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Jun 6, 2011

Jesus deals with the motivation in which one carries out their religious devotion.

“A Question of Motive.” Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18 Jesus has just finished describing the incredibly high standards of behavior required of those who would be His disciples. In verse ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8, Matthew 1:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Bob's Legacy

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jan 9, 2015

Don't just be religious. Make your life a spiritual quest.

Bob’s house was well built, by which I mean that his life was well-grounded. That’s what the Bible means – at least, most times – when it talks about building houses. We saw in Proverbs where it says, “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:38-48

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Fanaticism Taken Too Far?

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Apr 22, 2019

A Good Friday talk from the point of view of Jesus and religious fanaticism.

Fanaticism Taken Too Far? Israel Folau (an Australian Christian sporting personality) has been in the news lately for expressing unpopular views—for quoting an unpopular part of the Bible on his personal Instagram page. Is his belief in heaven and hell fanaticism taken too far? Is Australian Rugby ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:7-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Raising Of Lazarus And The Plot To Kill Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 8, 2022

Religious leaders resisting the 'signs' of Jesus' authenticity.

THE RAISING OF LAZARUS AND THE PLOT TO KILL JESUS. John 11:38-57. 1. The Raising of Lazarus (John 11:38-45). Far from being unable to prevent death (cf. John 11:37), Jesus was about to overcome death in what was to be the seventh and final significant ‘sign’ (prior to Jesus’ own death and ...read more

Scripture: John 11:38-57

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mic Drop Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jun 9, 2025

Final clash in the debates between Jesus and the religious establishment. Who is the Messiah?

Background to passage: This is final exchange in the volley between Jesus and the religious leaders since he entered Jerusalem as a king on a donkey a few days earlier. Jesus will give a couple of long sets of teaching (chapters 23-25) before the events directly leading to his death commence. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:41-46

Denomination: Baptist

More Than Just A Healing

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Dec 16, 2005

The account of the ten lepers: Grace was extended equally to all ten, but in only one did that grace bring a response of faith. With wild abandon, and gratitude, and excitement, he turned from going through the motions and fell at Jesus’ feet.

Some texts are just too obvious. Ten lepers were cleansed. One came back and said thanks. Nine did not. The one was commended. The nine were scolded in absentia. Ah...it’s important to write thank-you notes. My mama, your mama, and Miss Manners would be pleased. End of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed